Hey, there’s nothing nicey-nice about the musical offerings tonight. Tonight, the eardrums on board the good ship Thekla, are seriously put to the test as they are presented with 3 devilish Experiments In Loud. Mighty, monstrous, LOUD.
Igniting the proceedings are Leadtowine. These post-rock circuit-bending fiends launch their assault meekly slouched over 2 laptops and a pair of electronically-fashioned Pringles tubes. But what are they doing? Why, recreating the sound of extreme ghost-train TERROR, of course. Shortly they shift across for a bout of relentless drumming and riffing on some ‘real’ instruments. Hybridising Aphex and Godspeed (‘This is sooo 5 years ago’, a cynical punter comments), Leadtowine’s take on Loud utilises technology as their magic ingredient. However, if trying to feel the fear they’re keen to evoke, it’s tough suspending disbelief when the noises emerge from some confectionary packaging, a few prods of an iBook and some questionable drumming. Interesting, but no real horror-show.
Next up to show us just how loud Loud can be are Bristol supergroup Fuzz Against Junk. These dudes set lively saxophone wiggles against a wall of frenetic guitar mish-mash. With intermittent screeching from the unearthliest depths of their vocal tracts and a super-ace rhythm section, it’s designed to invigorate. But beware, it is at times, a tad overwhelming. The flood barriers are occasionally raised to prevent the intangible sounds simply washing over us and way past our ears. Key findings of this experiment: Loud doesn’t always warrant attention.
And finally… goodness gracious, it's those great Comets on Fire. The Californian neo-psychedelic headliners are touring to promote their latest long-player 'Blue Cathedral' and any quips about leaving a blazing trail should be strongly discouraged. Signed to the legendary Sub Pop, COF take their cue from the greatest of longhaired greats, such as Led Zep and Hawkwind, and then marry it with a modern-day guttural edge. 'Cause this is where Dad-rock meets Frat Party. The howls of hirsute Ethan Miller have clearly been wormholed from another age, and he sure is a striking frontman. But it’s drummer Utrillo Kushner who takes centre stage, in every sense. His bone shattering rhythms shake up every cell of the body, underlining the intense ferocity of the performance. Throughout the gig’s entirety, the five sweaty bodies of COF lurch about the claustrophobic stage throwing possessed RAWK poses, their defying gravity tresses let loose. Hell, even the guy twiddling the Echoplexer (a black box with knobs, as far as one can tell) appears to be trapped in a bacchanalian fit, whipping his sweaty locks into a frenzied delight. Boy, this looks like the most fun kind of music to perform, ever. Of all the acts tonight, it’s these lads that have refined the most consummate formula for Loud.
By their own admission however, all Comets on Fire compositions, sound exactly the same. This is evident as the gig progresses, and sigh… attentions wander. Standing the full duration of the show thus proves challenging. But rest assured, the tremendous initial impact felt will be ringing in our ears for a long time yet. Loud and clear.
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